The significance of the name Lord God

Here is an overview of the two Hebrew phrases each translated Lord God, and of the word LORD when used alone. Each will be examined individually regarding their capitalization and distinctions in Hebrew.

Before studying these couplings, we are aware that most folks may have never given thought to the different capitalization used for the words Lord God in the Old Testament? In a King James or other literal version, it is always used although it’s missing in some modern translations. Remember, the Bible is based on manuscripts written in Hebrew and Greek. Unless schooled in these languages, we are at a disadvantage by having to settle for an English translation since our language sometimes fails to capture distinctions in Hebrew words. Us dummies have to depend on Strong’s or Thayer’s for definitions if we’re trying to fine-tune God’s word.

Have you ever asked just why the difference in capitalization is used? Have you ever heard the reason preached in your church? You might ask what’s the big deal, anyway? We admit it may seem like a little thing. But ask yourself, were the scriptures given by the inspiration of God? If they are accurate to the last jot and tittle, then this capitalization must be there for a reason. To understand that is to gain a new appreciation for scripture’s accuracy, all the more convinced that only God could have authored the Bible. Last but not least,  these words furnish insight of how to discern God from His Son in the O.T.

To begin with, in our English versions the word “GOD,” when all letters are capitalized, has been translated from the Hebrew word Jehovah. The same is true for the word “LORD” when all letters are capitalized; it, too, is from the Hebrew Jehovah.  Both are the names of God (Jehovah). It may seem to be a out of order and senseless, but not so. Just mark it now in your mind that when either GOD or LORD is in all capitals, the words mean the same thing Jehovah. It‘s somewhat like a brand name that identifies Himself as Deity, avoiding any confusion or mixup (Remember, both words god and lord many times do not refer to God. This knowledge alone can clear up all kinds of questions related to the doctrine of the Trinity and supposed deity of Christ. These names identify God and the role He plays in the redemption of man.

THE HEBREW WORDS FOR THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER:

“Lord GOD” identifies the Father as Jehovah, the Supreme One, the one from whom all things emanate. The capitalized letters “LORD” will at times be found alone but they still refer to the same God. The Father’s name Lord GOD, pointing to His Deity, is to be distinguished from the name LORD God that refers to Christ. As explained above, the Hebrew word Jehovah is common to both in the capitalized words GOD and LORD. God, acknowledging His Son of humanity, shares His name with His Son to indicate the union between them. Certainly this is indicative of His dual nature. Further, the coupling of the name for Christ not only confirms the union but conveys both Deity (Jehovah) and humanity (Elohim) in His person, as we will explain later.

To identify God the Father, a coupling of two different Hebrew words is translated in English “Lord GOD.” In Hebrew it is Adonai (Lord) Jehovah (GOD). Every time you see the coupling of these names, it is always the Father.  It is also a double emphasis of His deity. Two is the number of witness, and it speaks of God’s Deity that He has repeatedly emphasized in the Old Testament and stated so succinctly in Isaiah 43:10, 11, “I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”

Problems arise in translation because two Hebrew words, Adonai and Adon, both translate as Lord in English. The Hebrew word Adonai is used exclusively of the Father. This cannot be over emphasized. “Adonai” is used only of God, and never of man, and contrary to Trinitarian dogma, it is never used of Christ.  At times the word “Lord” (Adonai) will be found by itself and purposely so. It unmistakably identifies God the Father. The other Hebrew word Adon is never used of the Father. It is used of men, angels, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The difficulty of discerning the difference in English is apparent. At the risk of being repetitive, looking at them separately may help show the distinction between them.                

Adonai (The Father): This word translated Lord belongs exclusively to the Father. It is used only of God. Never of man or the Lord Jesus Christ. Repeat “Never of man.” You may be sure it is speaking of God the Father.

Adon (The Son):  This word Lord, used of the Son, unlike Adonai, is not exclusive. It is found 305 times in the scriptures. It is used 268 times of men, 9 times of angels, and 28 times of the Lord Jesus. The definition of this word perfectly describes the calling and ministry of the Lord Jesus,. It means to rule, to be sovereign, a controller, a lord, master, or owner. Used of men, it has no connotation of Deity. Its references to Christ portray him as a king, a ruler. Does this remind you of His role during the millennium? The word not only lets us identify Jesus but also sets apart his humanity from any deity in himself. It is regrettable that the word Lord fails to distinguish between the Hebrew words in our English Bibles, but it helps explain one reason why the dual nature has been overlooked by so many.

THE COUPLING OF THE SON’S NAME

“LORD God”  (Jehovah Elohim). These coupled Hebrew words point to the union of deity and humanity of Christ. As the coupling capitalized Lord GOD pointed to God the Father, so the coupling of the names capitalized LORD God always refer to Christ. Again we emphasize that the capitalization style of the words Lord and God is the key to distinguishing between the Father and the Son. Lord GOD always refers to God the Father, while LORD God speaks of His Son.  What’s more, there is a message in the Son’s name (Jehovah Elohim) itself. The word Jehovah surely speaks of God’s deity that indwells Christ. Just as surely the word Elohim points to His humanity, which we will elaborate upon later. Certainly it is not difficult to see that the name “LORD God” represents two natures―deity and humanity in Christ. Remember our criteria.  The truth must be in accord with monotheism and that God cannot change, that He is invisible. Does He have any other option than to create a perfect man whom He can indwell as a means of revealing Himself? Have we missed something? We think not.

About the word Elohim. Let us take a closer look at the name or title referring to the Son. In Deut. 10:17 we find this said about the Lord Jesus: “He is the God of gods, (Elohim of elohims). Notice, many elohims, but only One supreme Elohim, the Lord Jesus Christ. What an appropriate name for Christ, the plural nature of elohim is indicative of both His Deity and Humanity. It is not really the name of God. It is a more encompassing word, used of God but also of men, devils, gods, judges and especially of the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that Satan tempted Eve, telling her she and Adam could become gods (elohims). Nations had their elohims  (Rulers, gods). Yet, considered in that light, can you believe this word is used so predominantly of the Lord Jesus Christ?  So, the first thing we need to understand is that this word Elohim is not necessarily a title of deity. There were many “gods” (elohim) listed in the Old Testament, but only one title of Deity -- the  “LORD” (Jehovah). As Paul said in I Cor: 8:5-6 “Though there be many that are called gods…and there be gods many and lords many. But to us there is but ‘One God,’ the Father of whom are all things.” (Note that Paul attributes deity of God to the Father only, no mention of the Son.). Rather than referring to deity, Elohim alludes more to power, authority, prestige, and honor. Strong’s Concordance defines it as  “gods” (used of the supreme God) and in the ordinary sense, of magistrates, angels, judges, etc.  A Scofield Bible footnote says “Elohim is a uni-plural noun formed from “El” meaning strength, or the strong one, and “Alah” to swear to bind oneself by an oath, so implying faithfulness. As meaning primarily the Strong One, it is fitly used in the first chapter of Genesis.” We suggest to you that God allowed this word Elohim to be used in these various ways to show forth for all to see the “Highest and Greatest Elohim of all.” It appears to us that this name is primarily intended for those in authority, for example, rulers of nations. Other nations had their elohim. Israel will have an Elohim who will be the Lord Jesus Christ. So God, in anticipation of the Kingship of His Son, chose this name for the final segment of world rule when the Lord Jesus will be recognized as the Elohim of elohims. Rather than speaking of deity in Christ, elohim is better understood as His designated title of authority.

What is so important with regard to the word elohim as applied to Christ is how it is linked with the word Jehovah, which speaks of the Deity indwelling Him in the vital union of the dual nature. More than any other Gospel, the book of John reveals the deity of Christ, most often from the lips of Jesus. Seven times Jesus reveals the nature of His deity. “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me” (John 14:10).  Let us paraphrase what Jesus was saying:  “I (the man Jesus ) am in union with the Father (deity) who is  indwelling  my physical body.” The deity of Christ is that of the Father. Christ has no deity of His own as a man per se.  How can it be stated more clearly? The two words  “LORD” and “God” constitute a title referring to two natures, that of the Father (Deity)  and that of  the Son (Humanity), indwelling one person.

It may be asked why the dual nature?  Why the union? Why the indwelling?  We ask how else? Jesus alone in His humanity could not have manifested the Father to us. He would have been helpless, and powerless as a man. As he said, ”I can do nothing of myself” (John 5:19, 30).  The Father indwelling Jesus made all things possible for Christ to heal the blind, feed, the five thousand, raise the dead, etc. The dual nature also sheds light in distinguishing between God’s dispensations of Law and Grace. Jesus necessarily began his ministry with God’s chosen people Israel (The Gentiles before receiving anything from Christ had to wait until after His resurrection) (Acts 10:1-48). Israel has been called “the sign people” “For the Jews require a sign” (I Cor.1:22).  Jesus said to the Jews “Except you see signs and wonders ye will not believe.” (John 4:48).  Hear the words of Peter as he addresses the nation of Israel in Acts 2:22-24: vs. 22 ”Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by Him in the midst of you,” (notice “God did by Him”). Note in vs.24 that it was God who raised Jesus from the dead. Otherwise, Jesus would have remained dead. After Israel rejected Christ, after His resurrection and ascension, God instituted the Church, that is, the Body of Christ which, rather than trusting in signs and wonders, lives solely by faith in God’s promises. “For by grace are you saved through FAITH and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8-9). Where Israel had failed under the dispensation of the Law that depended upon the ability of man (who can do nothing), the dispensation of Grace centered on God who can do all. Where the law was powerless to establish righteousness, God took it upon Himself to do the job through Christ in those who believe.

THE WORD “LORD” (JEHOVAH) WHEN USED ALONE

As already stated, Jehovah refers to God’s deity. When coupled with the word Adonai, it is exclusively His name. However, notice that Jehovah is linked with Elohim in the coupling of the names for Christ.  God has loaned (for lack of a better expression) His name to His Son to show us the union of deity and humanity (God and Christ) in the dual nature.

We would be remiss if we failed to note that this name “LORD” (Jehovah) occurs numerous times alone, creating a problem. How will we determine who it belongs to, the Father or the Son?

There is a key to identifying to whom “the LORD” refers. However, before discussing it, one thing needs to be emphasized clearly. The word Jehovah translated LORD always points to the deity of God (Jehovah), whether used alone or in the coupling of the names of the Son. That is a rule. Here is the “key.” Whenever the name “LORD” refers to the Son, the passage later will include a human aspect, although it may not appear for a number of verses

Zechariah 12:1-10 illustrates what we are saying. We will point out the separation and leave it for you to read the whole passage. Verse 1 begins: “The burden of the LORD...” As stated before, the LORD, when used alone, is always the “DEITY” of the Father. Here we must ask,  “Is it the Father speaking of Himself or are the words those of the Son, given to Him by the Father who is in union with Him? Though this may seem strange, this manner of God speaking by means of His Son is verified repeatedly in the Gospel of John where Christ’s union with the Father is clearly identified. In the vernacular of the world:  This is God’s show with the Son starring in the leading role as the vessel being used of God.  Now, how to determine which it is, whether the Father or Jesus? We must search the passage to see if there is a “HUMAN ASPECT” connected with the DEITY of the passage. Clearly verse 10 shows there is. The Son is speaking, that is, the Father is speaking through the Son as we read: “And I will pour upon the house of David the Spirit of grace and supplication and they shall LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED.” We see Christ on the cross by the hands of His own.

In Isaiah 50:1-7 we have the same scenario. The Son is the speaker, but actually behind the Son is the Father speaking through the Son. In the Father/Son union this is always in accord with God’s plan and purpose. God speaks through the Son who, while appearing to speak for Himself, is being given the words by His Father. Note in verse 1 the name LORD used alone: “Thus saith the LORD...” (the Son speaking of His Father, though the Father is behind the words). Remember, this is a prophetical dialog, with God speaking the lines of both Father and Son to verify an event in the future when Christ would come. God, standing outside of time, spoke all the lines in these narratives, that is, He not only wrote the script, He played each part. How can it be otherwise when Christ would not be on the scene until Bethlehem? In His union with Deity, the Son credits Himself with creation in verses 2-3: “I cloth the heavens,” etc.  We again see the HUMAN ASPECT as we read verses 4-7. Verse.4: “The Lord (Adonai) GOD (Jehovah) hath given Me (the Son) the tongue of the learned . . . He (the Father) wakes me every morning,” etc. Verse 5: “The Lord (Adonai) GOD (Jehovah) hath opened mine ear...” In verse 7: “For the Lord GOD will help me...,” (Note the Son’s response to what the Father shares with  the Son in verse 6: “smitten, beard pulled, spit on.” )   

Okay, what we’re saying may cause some brain strain. But it is worthwhile to think this through, so let us elaborate a bit. Look at the coupling of the Hebrew words used to identify the Son—LORD (Jehovah) God (Elohim). Do we not see the deity of Jehovah, the Father linked with the humanity of Elohim, the son? Two natures in union! One is the Father. The other is the Son. They may be viewed as a team, Deity and Humanity, working together to accomplish the plan of redemption. The invisible Father and the visible Son.  Look at the Teamwork. What the Father could not do (be seen, be tempted, die, etc.), the Son could do. By indwelling the body of the Son, the Father became the source and power for the miracles performed by the Son. He directed Jesus in where to go, what to do, what to say, in everything being sufficient, as only God can be. Together in union they walked the earth. One without the other could not have accomplished anything. The Father without the Son would have had no manifestation of Himself. The Son without the Father would have been helpless and powerless. Both needed the other, and together they fulfilled the plan of redemption. The Father in the Old Testament made claims to be the Savior, Redeemer, King, etc. How? By means of His Son. Together they walked on the earth. Together they reached the cross. Together they suffered on the Cross. Even during that three hours of darkness, they were together, but in different roles, God as the judge of righteousness and Jesus as the sacrifice, necessarily punished as the sins of the world were laid upon Him. (Remember Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac). Only the Son could bear our sin, an impossibility for the Father. We hear Jesus cry out, “My God, why has thou forsaken me?,” experiencing for the first time the loss of God’s presence. Finally, at Jesus’ victory cry, “It is finished,” The cry tells us the Father and Son are united together again. We read in Luke, "’Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Raised back to life by God and ascended to heaven, He is seated along side His Father, still indwelled by Him, waiting until the earth is made His footstool when His Father and He will rule together during the millennium.

One word remains which we have not examined—“Lord” when used alone in upper and lower case. It can pose a problem, too, since it may refer to either the Father or the Son. There’s no way to tell in the English translation, but again a look at the Hebrew words provides the answer. “Lord” (Father) in Hebrew  is  Adonai.  “Lord” (Son) in Hebrew is Adon. The addition of two letters “ai”to the Father’s name makes it special, used only of the deity of God the Father. This word is never used of man, only of God. Contrary to Trinitarians, it is never used of Christ. They have tried to use it in Psalm110:1: “The LORD said unto my Lord [Adon], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” David reveals that GOD has told the Lord (His Son) to sit at His right hand. The word translated Lord is Adon, according to Strong’s, and is never used of God but only of Christ.  Here is a strange thing about this. The word Adon is used 28 times of the Lord Jesus. Isn’t it strange that God would make an exception in this instance?  Trinitarians make mistakes but not our God.

We close with the words of God, Jehovah the Father, in His declaration of the prestige and authority given His Son the Lord Jesus Christ when He would sit on the throne of David. Nowhere in the statement is a single divine attribute credited to the Lord Jesus. His deity is always from the coupling of His names showing His indwelling and union with the Father.

“For the LORD your God [the Son’s coupling of names] is God of gods (Elohim of elohims) and Lord of lords [Adon of adons] a great God ‘[El. Mighty strong] a mighty, and a terrible which regardeth not persons, nor taketh  reward” (Deut 10:17).

We stress again that Deut 10:17 confirms the truth that the Hebrew word Adon, when used in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, nearly always deals with His humanity, kingship and rule over Israel and the world during the millennium. The definition of the word is “controller, sovereign, reigning, the attributes of a king.” Not once is there a connotation of deity in the word Adon.  From before the foundation of the world, God the Father gave to Christ the promise of ruling the world. Jesus Christ with His Father shall reign over the universe for a thousand years. After that the plan and purpose of God for creation will have been completed. No longer will there be a need for a king. Then will come to pass what is declared in I Corinthians 15: 28: “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

Then, eternity future begins. God has chosen not to tell us of this time period, but we can be sure it will be glorious. Never again will there ever be a dark cloud over creation. For now we can begin to see how God has revealed Himself through His Son so that all who trust in Him may have understanding. Hopefully, by the aid of His Spirit what we have uncovered may help to that end.

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